Broadway returns to the State Theatre Center for the Arts, Easton, with the national touring production of the hit musical “Waitress.”

“Waitress” kicks off the State Theatre “Broadway Series” with two performances, 7:30 p.m. Nov. 16 and 17.

Based on the 2007 independent film of the same name, “Waitress” is the first Broadway musical in history to have four women in the four top creative team spots, with a book by Jessie Nelson, a score by Grammy Award-winner Sara Bareilles, choreography by Lorin Latarro and direction by Tony Award-winner Diane Paulus.

The show opened in 2016 on Broadway and was nominated for four Tony Awards, including for best musical.

Bareilles’ score, which also was nominated for a Grammy Award, includes the hit song, “She Used to Be Mine.”

In the musical, Jenna is a waitress and expert pie-maker who dreams of a way out of her small town and abusive marriage. She pours her heart into her pies, making desserts that mirror her life such as “The Key (Lime) to Happiness Pie” and “Betrayed By My Eggs Pie” after she finds out she is pregnant.

When a new relationship with her doctor, and a baking contest in a nearby county gives Jenna a chance at a fresh start, it is up to her to find the strength to make a change.

The touring production stars Jiisel Soleil Ayon as Jenna; Kennedy Salters and Gabriella Marzetta as Jenna’s friends Becky and Dawn; Shawn W. Smith as Jenna’s husband Earl; David Socolar as Dr. Pomatter, and Michael R. Douglass as diner owner Joe.

Tickets: www.statetheatre.org; 610-252-3132

“Home for the Holidays”: The Pines Dinner Theatre celebrates Christmas with its new original musical comedy, “Home for the Holidays,” Nov. 10 - Dec. 19.

“Home for the Holidays” is written by Pines Dinner Theatre Artistic Director Oliver Blatt, with original music and lyrics by Blatt and Pines Music Director Stacy Bechtel. There is additional music and lyrics by Jason Michael and Gene Culkin.

As Sam (Don Hart) and Marty Fergueson (Barbi McGuire) plan for their extended family to visit them in upstate New York, a winter blizzard makes travel difficult for everyone in the storm’s path and ruins their holiday plans.

To their surprise, friends Jane (Abigail Garrigan), Walter Marshall (Michael Covel) and their daughter Emma (Mia Moyer) are forced to change their plans and stop in for an unexpected visit.

Complete with newly-harvested Christmas tree and hot cider in hand, everyone gathers for an evening of new Christmas traditions.

The score has traditional Christmas favorites like “Oh, Christmas Tree,” “Silent Night” and “Joy to the World,” as well as original songs such as “Country Christmas Feeling,” “Deck the Christmas Halls” and “Starry Night.”

Appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages are available for purchase ala carte.

Entrees include pineapple glazed ham, roast turkey, pot roast, striped Pangasius, grilled shrimp skewers, filet mignon, fettuccine Alfredo with broccoli, and butternut squash ravioli.

Dinner is served before the show. Audiences are welcome to BYOB.

Performances are dinner, 12:30 p.m.; show, 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday, and dinner, 6:30 p.m.; show, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

The theater, 448 N. 17th St., is at the northeast quadrant of the Allentown Fairgrounds, 17th and Liberty streets, Allentown.

Tickets: http://www.pinesdinnertheatre.com; 610-433-2333

“Holiday Inn” postponed:

Rody Gilkeson, president of The Pennsylvania Playhouse, Bethlehem, has announced that its production of “Holiday Inn,” Dec. 3 - 19, is postponed until December 2022.

Gilkeson says the Playhouse lost a weekend of performances of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” in October because of a COVID-19 outbreak among the staff and, out of an abundance of caution, the Playhouse board decided not to take a chance on another big musical until 2022.

The first two 2022 playhouse shows are comedies: “The Exes,” Jan. 28 - Feb. 13, 2022, and “Nollywood Dreams,” March 25 - April 10, 2022. The first musical of the season is “Bright Star,” June 3 - 19, 2022. Other shows are “Pippin,” July 22 - Aug. 7, 2022, and “Deathtrap,” Oct. 7 - 23, 2022.

“Curtain Rises” is a column about the theater, stage shows, the actors in them and the directors and artists who make them happen. To request coverage, email: Paul Willistein, Focus editor, pwillistein@tnonline.com